Birding by Ear

There's a lot to look forward to in spring for birders.

The flowers are blooming, old friends are returning,  and birdsong is at its peak. The sheer volume of songs and calls can often feel overwhelming for birders, but these sounds offer an opportunity and a challenge. With our birding-by-ear series you can learn how to better ID birds through their vocalizations. 

Pt. 1: Start Listening for Songs and Calls
Pt. 2: Learn the Most Common Kinds of Sounds
Pt. 3: Connect Noises With Pictures That Stick
Pt. 4: Grow Familiar With Neighborhood Voices
Pt. 5: “Read” Sounds on Spectrograms
Pt. 6: Know If It's a Mimic or the Real Deal
Pt. 7: Learn Different Regional Accents
Pt. 8: Eavesdrop on Nature's Orchestra
A Few of Our Favorite Sounds
American Bittern
Herons, Egrets, Bitterns
! Priority Bird
Varied Thrush
Thrushes
Red-tailed Hawk
Hawks and Eagles
Pied-billed Grebe
Grebes

More Birding Advice

A Hummingbird's Shining Armor
April 08, 2015 — The gorget is just a small part of the fireworks display.
The Brassiest Bird in the West
March 27, 2015 — This resourceful bird persists on the rugged range.
How To Improve Your Nature Photography
March 20, 2015 — Pro photographer John Shaw shares a few tips on choosing lighting for outdoor shots.
A Nightingale Fairy Tale
March 18, 2015 — There's a legend that the bird's song saved a Chinese emperor from the cusp of death.
A Bad Climate for Wood Storks
March 13, 2015 — Stork colonies are being squeezed dry.